THE dull and overcast conditions that Killarney woke up to this cold Saturday morning in February seemed entirely appropriate as news slowly filtered through of the death overnight of Donal O’Callaghan, late of The Fáilte bar and restaurant on College Street.
Just 49 years of age, the hugely popular Donal finally succumbed to a devastating illness that had impacted on his life in such an unforgiving and unfair manner in recent years.
Always quiet, unassuming and good natured, Donal was one of life’s true gentlemen and he was held in remarkably high esteem in the town he loved and in which he was loved.
Throughout life, particularly in earlier years, he and his twin brother, Dermot, were always difficult to tell apart and their similar good humoured, mild mannered nature just served to add to the confusion for those that struggled to differentiate between the boys that simply became known as “the Twins.”
Although he carved out his own career and concentrated on his own interests, Donal was very much a homebird and he was always willing to play whatever part was required to lend a hand in the thriving family business.
He had a warm welcome and a genuine greeting for callers to The Fáilte and he was hugely popular with locals and visitors who he always ensured were made to feel at home.
A former pupil of the Presentation Monastery National School and Killarney Community College, Donal loved sports as much as he loved life and while he played at under age level with Dr Crokes, he took a particular interest in soccer.
He regularly turned out for town league competitions and was a mainstay in the Killarney seven-a-side summer soccer tournament. He was a passionate Killarney Celtic clubman and lined out with the B team on several occasions but, even when his playing days were long over, he was never far from the action when there was a green and white hooped shirt on the field.
He was also a lifelong supporter of Dr Crokes and the Kerry team and he enjoyed nothing more than reflecting on a game, with his incredibly large circle of loyal friends, after the final whistle sounded.
Somewhat cruelly, ill health cast a dark shadow on Donal’s life in recent years and though he encountered some difficult days, he fought illness in a remarkably tenacious and brave manner.
He battled to the very end – a trait that characterised his life – but he finally slipped away, in the presence of his beloved family, at Killarney Community Hospital late on Friday night.
Predeceased by his father Dermot – who was a successful businessman and a former town councillor – Donal is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, mother Eileen, brothers Michael, Colm, Dermot Jnr, Paudie and Niall, relatives and friends.
His remains will repose at his home, The Fáilte Hotel, Killarney, on Sunday from 5.00pm to 8.00pm.
Removal will take place on Monday morning to St Mary’s Cathedral for 10.30am Requiem Mass and burial will take place afterwards in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.
The O’Callaghan family has asked for donations to be made, in lieu of flowers, to Palliative Care.
